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Indian gooseberry Amla, unfortunately, is not often used for medical purposes in Our Country. However, in the East, since ancient times, it has served as a popular medicinal and cosmetic product, actively used in Ayurveda. Amla has unique properties and is the active ingredient in many effective dietary supplements that can be found in specialty stores and pharmacies around the world.
What is “amla”
The correct name for the Indian gooseberry amla is phyllanthus emblica. The culture belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is a fruit-bearing deciduous tree with a slightly curved trunk with light brown, smooth bark, reaching a height of 7–8 m. . The flowers of the tree are soft, small, light green in color with a yellow tone. Indian gooseberries bloom in March, after which they form greenish-yellow, transparent and smooth round berries that resemble ordinary gooseberries in appearance. They ripen from November to February. Southeast Asia is home to the Indian gooseberry amla, which grows throughout India in deciduous forests. The tree is also cultivated in China, Thailand, Malaysia, where its benefits are widely known.
Composition and nutritional value of Indian gooseberry
Indian gooseberry amla brings medium-sized berries weighing up to 2,5 g, which are a real pantry of useful trace elements and vitamins. The natural balance of carbohydrates and proteins makes the product easy to digest. Indian gooseberry contains:
- macro- and microelements – magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, chromium;
- vitamin C;
- amino acids;
- tannins;
- riboflavin, thiamine, carotenoids, niacin and many other healing components for the human body.
The calorie content of the product is 54 kcal per 100 g.
What are the medicinal properties of the Indian gooseberry amla
Reviews of real people treated with Indian gooseberries confirm the benefits of the amla plant. After all, it has a whole range of beneficial effects on the human body:
- antioxidant;
- diuretic;
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- laxative;
- diuretic;
- soothing;
- rejuvenating;
- antidiabetic;
- antispasmodic;
- antiglycemic.
That is why in the East in medicine since ancient times they have known about the benefits of the Indian gooseberry amla and use it for treatment:
- diabetes;
- peptic ulcers;
- anemia;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- asthma;
- infectious respiratory diseases;
- scurvy;
- coughing
- dysentery;
- diarrhea;
- migraine;
- eye diseases – glaucoma and conjunctivitis.
The benefits of Indian gooseberries also lie in a beneficial effect on the nervous system, improving memory, and eliminating bouts of fatigue. No wonder the plant is widely used in the composition of funds to improve concentration and eliminate mental arousal. In addition, the Indian gooseberry amla is used for cosmetic purposes: its use is especially popular for hair restoration.
What is amla good for the body
First of all, amla is valued for its high content of vitamin C, which, in combination with the tannin complex and gallic acid, remains in the berries for a long time.
Valuable oil of the plant is produced from its berries. At the same time, not only the fruits of the Indian gooseberry are widely used for medicinal purposes for the preparation of medicines, but also its other parts – roots, leaves, seeds, bark, flowers.
Regular use of amla allows you to:
- strengthen immunity;
- to be cleared of slags;
- normalize blood pressure;
- cleanse the liver;
- normalize the work of the digestive tract;
- slow down the aging process;
- reduce blood sugar levels;
- protect the body from the effects of toxins and free radicals.
The benefits of Indian gooseberries also include lowering cholesterol levels and a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, strengthening the walls of blood vessels. The beneficial properties of amla are relevant for men and women, as well as for children and the elderly.
For men
Amla is often used to treat infertility in men and eliminate problems with potency. Due to the impressive amount of nutrients, the fruits of the healing tree increase the blood supply to the male organs and have a beneficial effect on the reproductive system. In addition, the berries of the plant raise vitality, which has a positive effect on the sexual tone of the body. According to the reviews of men taking funds that include amla, compositions with Indian gooseberries increase male strength, give endurance and activity. This is especially true for men of mature age who have all sorts of problems with sexual function. That is why the Indian gooseberry amla is often found in the composition of male drugs that enhance potency.
For women
Gooseberries, grown in India, are priceless for the reproductive female system, as well as for maintaining beauty. Their benefits for the fair sex are extensive and manifest themselves:
- in the normalization of hormonal levels;
- increased blood flow to the female organs;
- correction of the work of the entire reproductive system;
- beneficial effects on the skin and hair, both when eating berries inside, and in the preparation of masks based on them;
- improving well-being during menopause;
- increased metabolism, which helps ladies fight excess weight.
Indian berry can help women get pregnant and enjoy their sex life to the fullest. The property of amla to increase the blood supply to the genitals can provoke a miscarriage in the last trimester or in the presence of individual contraindications, therefore, before using products containing the plant, it is necessary to consult a specialist who monitors the course of pregnancy.
Is it possible for children to have amla
experts do not recommend giving amla gooseberries to babies under 3 years of age, due to the exotic and unusual berries for the body. However, in Eastern medicine, the benefits of eating Indian gooseberries for children are considered unconditional, so Ayurveda allows even one-year-old children to use Indian gooseberries to increase immunity and fight infectious diseases.
Useful properties of amla berries
The benefits of gooseberries from India have been confirmed by clinical studies, which allows them to be widely used for medical purposes to combat:
- with Alzheimer’s disease and mental disorders;
- the development of tumors – both benign and malignant;
- early baldness;
- infertility.
In addition, the Indian gooseberry helps to eliminate toxins from the liver associated with poisoning and the consumption of fatty foods, sugar and alcohol. Therefore, the berry is often used to treat kidney diseases, in the fight against age-related genetic mutations. Amla is also useful for diseases of the teeth and gums.
More about the experience in using amla – in the video:
Application of amla berries
Apply the fruits of the Indian gooseberry for diabetes, eye, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular diseases. Berries have beneficial properties to improve the body’s resistance to infections, completely rejuvenate the body and enhance cellular metabolism. Amla is a very powerful natural antioxidant that helps to remove toxins and improve digestion. A medicinal plant is used both in the form of fresh berries and their juice, and in the form of a dry powder.
fresh berries
The most effective for the benefit of the whole organism is the use of fresh berries. It is best to take Indian gooseberry after a meal or prepare an infusion based on it. To do this, the berries are poured with water at room temperature and left for 12 hours, after which the fruits are squeezed, and the liquid is used for its intended purpose. Due to the high concentration of active substances, the infusion is recommended to be diluted with water. In this form, the benefits of the application are equal to the use of fresh fruits.
juice
Freshly squeezed or canned Indian gooseberry juice is useful in the treatment of:
- respiratory organs – for treatment, they take juice in equal proportions with honey and drink 1 – 2 tbsp. l. several times a day;
- oral cavity and, in particular, with stomatitis – rinsing 2 tbsp. l. amla juice, diluted in 0,5 tbsp. water;
- diabetes – drink 1 tbsp. l. juice 3 times a day;
- eye – with a solution of 2 tsp. juice in ½ tbsp. water that is drunk on an empty stomach.
Application of dried fruit powder
From the dried berries of the Indian gooseberry in the homeland of its growth, a powder is produced, which is exported to other countries.
- The simplest and most useful is the use of funds inside. To do this, 5 g of powder is diluted in 1 tbsp. water and drink 2 times a day. Since amla has unique properties, the benefits of this technique for the body are priceless: a tonic prepared from powder rejuvenates, restores vitality and tone.
- To purify the blood or cure infectious respiratory diseases, it is enough to mix the powder with honey in equal proportions.
- In case of exhaustion, for a quick weight gain, dried gooseberries are mixed with melted butter in equal proportions and taken orally. The tool enhances appetite and promotes weight gain. For this property, amla is extremely valued in the East and is widely used to treat seriously ill people and patients after operations.
- An infusion of dried fruits brings benefits to the eyes. For this purpose, 5 g of amla powder is soaked overnight in 1 tbsp. warm water. The resulting composition is washed with eyes for eye diseases – conjunctivitis and glaucoma.
- To prepare a decoction, take 1 tbsp. l. raw materials and pour 1 liter of water, boil for 5 minutes. The composition is cooled and washed with their face. The decoction has a beneficial effect on the skin, helping to make it smooth, tender, elastic, and eliminate excess shine.
The use of amla oil in cosmetology
Indian gooseberry oil is widely used in cosmetology by oriental women. Amla is the main component of face and hair masks, which helps to make the skin smooth, even, remove signs of fatigue on the eyelids. However, amla brings the greatest benefit to hair, in giving it shine, silkiness and density. This remedy for hair restoration is considered one of the most useful and faithful, which is difficult to find analogues. Amla gives the hair not only a visible, cosmetic, but also a deep, medicinal effect.
Application of amla oil for hair
Indian gooseberry oil is suitable for all hair types. The easiest way to saturate the hair with vitamins and useful microelements, restore the hair structure and make it obedient, soft, silky, is to simply lubricate the hair and scalp with the product in its pure form. After applying the oil, wrap the hair with a film and keep the mask for 40-60 minutes. To enhance the effect, the product is left on the head for up to 6-7 hours. On dry tips, oil is applied more abundantly. To increase the beneficial effect, Indian gooseberry ether is mixed with ingredients such as kefir, honey, sour cream and other vegetable oils.
- To prepare a honey composition that eliminates dandruff and makes hair shiny, the ingredients are mixed in equal amounts and slightly heated. Amla and honey are taken for this in equal proportions.
- To eliminate excess fat and reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands, Indian gooseberry oil is mixed with kefir in a ratio of ½ and 4-5 drops of lavender or tea tree ether are added.
- You can strengthen your hair with gooseberries if you mix its oil with sour cream in a 1: 1 ratio and 5 drops of rosemary ether.
Can you make amla oil at home?
Usually, amla oil is not produced in its pure form, but is included in the composition of products based on other esters. Therefore, a recipe for making a homemade high-quality oil composition based on purchased gooseberry fruit powder from India will be useful. This will require:
- Pour 10 g of powder into a clean glass jar with a screw cap;
- add 100 g of good quality vegetable oil (olive, sesame thistle, etc.);
- mix the ingredients thoroughly;
- leave for 24 hours, occasionally shaking the contents of the jar;
- strain the composition through a coffee filter or gauze;
- pour into a dark glass bottle;
- store in a cool dry and dark place.
Limitations and contraindications
There are no strict contraindications to the use of Indian gooseberry medicinal raw materials. The limitation is the individual intolerance of the plant and its use by children under 3 years of age. It is worth paying attention: along with the effectiveness and benefits, the use of Indian gooseberries can also cause side effects, manifested:
- a strong, up to critical, decrease in blood sugar levels;
- dehydration of the body;
- constipation;
- violations of the liver;
- bleeding if combined with anticoagulants.
Conclusion
Indian gooseberry amla is an invaluable plant with a wide medicinal effect. To avoid side effects, it is better to consult a specialist before using a herbal remedy, this is especially true for people suffering from chronic diseases.